* my first reaction was just based upon the preview picture that had CJ and 4 other players who I think are clearly 'better' than CJ so I was hoping you had at least attached other assets so the trade weren't as homerific as many I see here (not yours). For the most part you did, so good on that. I think you are probably overrating the value other teams would assign to CJ as a 'dynamic playmaker', but that's a subjective debate we've had before....no need to repeat
* the first two trades kind of illustrate an issue for me: CJ and assets for either Tobias Harris and Middleton. Both are better players than CJ and the ramifications of keeping Powell, & RoCo, and adding either player to the starting lineup definitely makes for an upgraded rotation. Here is the 'but': both of those players actually have bigger contracts than CJ, so adding either, plus a re-signed Powell, locks Portland into the repeater tax in 2022. But is the changed trajectory for Portland enough to warrant millions in tax, at least as viewed thru Seattle eyes?
I'm not sure Portland's trajectory would be altered into a contender. I'd certainly prefer Middleton to Harris as I think he's a lot more versatile, on both ends of the floor. Dame-Powell-Middleton-RoCo-Nurkic....is that really a contender? Maybe...maybe not
* the trade of CJ + a 1st for Siakam is a no-brainer to me. I don't think it alters Portland's trajectory that much; and Siakam has the same contract as CJ. But the fit is better for sure. Still, Blazers would have to make another move to move into contention, IMO. But mainly, it discards the 6 year Dame/CJ experiment, and that's a big step in the right direction. I'm just not seeing enough motivation for the other teams involved, especially Toronto
* CJ + RoCo + 3 firsts for Brown + Horford?.....sorry, that one I don't like
* CJ + Nurkic + RoCo + 2 firsts for PG13 + Turner? Yikes. That's probably realistic on the price Portland would have to pay. I have always liked the idea of Dame + PG13. I think they could build an elite mesh as a 1-2 punch. And Nurkic for Turner is kind of a downgrade in my view because I do not like Turner's anemic rebounding. On the other hand, he has the mobility to guard outside of the paint that Nurk doesn't have. Kind of important in the new NBA. But losing RoCo leaves a big hole at PF, and no, I don't have any faith in Zach. This is another trade that would leave the job half-done, but it's a good, albeit expensive, step in the right direction
generally, a pretty decent effort Bones...nice job. Our biggest difference is that I do not believe the Blazer roster is as talented as you do, so most of these trades will definitely need follow-up deals to complete the upgrade
